That's My Story

THE LA PAZ/ LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2007

Photo 1 : Yellowtail like this one caught by Bob Simpon of Paso Robles CA being helped by popular Captain Chito are starting to make their presence known early in the season

WATERS WARMING AS PARGO START TO BITE BUT WINDS BACK UP TOO WHILE TUNA TEASE TO NORTH!

La Paz / Las Arenas Fishing Report for Feb. 18, 2008

Photo1 – These are the big cubera snapper or dog-tooth snapper generically called “pargo”

Photo 2– Beth is holding up another type of “pargo.” These are the “pargo lisa” or “mullet snapper.” Another tough fish to get outta the rocks. This is Punto Perrico behind her.

THE FISH REPORT

Waters warming rapidly. In some places from Espiritu Santo Island south to Cerralvo and Pescadero there’s patches of 70 plus degree waters. That’s unseasonably warm. However, after two weeks of really great weather, the winds kicked in again towards the back end of the week making the waters go bump. Sierra were the mainstay fish near the islands or anywhere there was a deeper drop off near rocks. We did have some of the big pargo start biting off Las Arenas. I say “biting” because “catching” is the other half of the equation and putting them into the boat after they bite is probably the toughest part. One of our clients had six “biters” but each time got busted in the rocks. The captains confirmed they were pargo and not rocks because the clients got pretty skeptical after awhile! Rocks don’t move!

I know we didn’t have many clients this week, but just by way of an outlook, with the way the water are warming, we could and hopefully will see more of the pelagic blue water species soon. From talking to amigos, that body of striped marlin that starts coming arond the Cape about November/December seems like it’s started it’s migration east and north up into the Sea of Cortez. If we do start to see them, many times they are just lying on the surface rather lethargically. It can get frustrating to see so many marlin being “flojo” lazy bums and not willing to take a bait, but it seems they’re just getting used to things. When they do start going, it can be all out pandemonium. There were times the last two years during the striped marlin run when we had 2, 3 and one time even five billfish going on at the same time. What a “firedrill” that was! Last year during May and June I could almost guarantee a billfish hookup. We’ll keep you posted if we start seeing them showing up. They’ll most likely hit the East Cape before we get them since the EC is about 50 miles further south.

Just a few notes:

Commericial pangeros had some 40 pound tuna come up on them at the north side of Cerrlavo Island. They were gone the next day and not worth the gas for us to check them out since there were no guarantees they’d still be there and the clients didn’t want to run that far for fish that might not be there.

Also, whales are really in nicely right now at Bahia Magdalena. We have clients out whalewatching this week and our clients last week had quite a few whales coming right up to the pangas.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Our next show is the biggie…Fred Hall Fishing and Boating Show at Long Beach. This is the largest show on the West Coast. It’s March 7-11 and always brings them out in droves. Alot of guys make an event of it and get a hotel room so they can spend a few days in the arena. I’ve usually talked so much that by the 2nd day, my voice is shot! Our booth is not in the traditional “travel section.” Look for us in our usual spot in the tackle area right next to Izorline and down from Calstar rods/Sumo Tackle/ Accurate Reels/ Avet Reels and Tady Lures. Come down to say howdy!

BOOKINGS FOR THIS YEAR

Maybe it’s because so many of you had to put off last year because of the Aero Cal fiasco. However, our bookings are WAY up over last year for boats so if you have any inkling of coming down this year, please let us know as soon as possible. Alaska, Delta and Aero Mexico are now flying into La Paz from the U.S. and our old buddies, Aero Cal, still have cheap flights out’ve Tijuana that many of our anglers found to be surprisingly easy to do. Alaska has had some great rates and now Delta is trying to match.

Let us know if you need some help with ticketing!

These are dates that are currently sold out on one side or the other (Las Arenas or La Paz) . We can always get you rooms, but the boats are critical…at least if you’re planning on fishing, right? When the boats are booked, as much as I’d like to just wave a wand and make more appear, that’s all the boats there are! I can’t make more appear. I’m just not that good…yet!

Sometimes, there are more boats and captains to be hired that are independents, but many of those guys are 2nd and 3rd stringers and there’s a reason they don’t get booked with the first team. I try to always give you folks our stars ONLY!

June 14 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
June 15 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas

July 9 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas

Sept. 6 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Sept. 7 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Sept. 11 – No more Las Arenas boats only La Paz
Sept. 14 – No more Las Arenas boats only La Paz
Sept. 15 – No more Las Arenas boats only La Paz
Sept. 16 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Sept. 17 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Sept. 27 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Sept. 29 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas

Oct. 5 – No more Las Arenas boats only La Paz
Oct. 6 – No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Oct. 7 – No more La Paz boast only Las Arenas
Oct. 8- No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas
Oct. 12- No more La Paz boats only Las Arenas

PARTING SHOTS:

Jeff Holcomb is one of our amigos from the frozen lands of Wisconsin who sent this in in response to my reports that often bitch about how cold it is in La Paz.

We have a song we sing here in the Winter – to the tune of “La Cucaracha”…

“In Wisconsin, in Wisconsin
The weather isn’t very nice
In Wisconsin, in Wisconsin
We have to fish right through the ice”

Point taken! Thanks, Jeff!

That’s my story! Hope you all have a short 4-day week!

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International

Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

Phone: (626) 333-3355

FAX: (626) 333-0115

E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com

U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745

Mexico Office: Carr. a Pichilingue KM 5, Numero 205, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

THE LAST BAIT

Originally published in Western Outdoor News the week of February 18, 2006

Photo 1: You don’t get many chances to be kids again with your buddies!

Photo 2: Life is full of “Kodak Moments” when, for a split second, the camera captures something that will always make you smile.

Photo 3: Priceless times that you only get one shot at

Photo 4: Dad’s and sons. What could be better?

THE LAST BAIT

In the past six weeks, I’ve talked to hundreds and maybe thousands of amigos who have come up to our booth in Denver, San Mateo, Sacramento, and Portland. It’s great “talking Baja” to so many and the best part is talking about Baja to folks who have never been there or others who have not even heard about it! (“Where in California is Baja California? I can’t believe it’s part of Mexico!”)

There’s nothing like making someone’s eyes go wide when they find out about some of the great wonders to be had, not just in fishing, but culture, history, food, watersports and so many other things that all of us “Baja rats” already know. “It’s that close?” “The fish are how big?” “I can catch a marlin right next to the shore?” It’s really safe to eat the food?” “They don’t hate Americans?” “ It’s really OK to bring my kids?”

You old-timers know exactly what I’m talking about. That Baja grit, dust, sand and salt get into you and under your skin and it somehow never leaves. We revel in it.

You remember those sunrises and the anticipation of boiling fish. You can still feel that sun warming your back and those bare legs that hadn’t seen short pants all winter. Darn sand feels mighty fine between the toes. And that salsa and cold beer…ahhhh…. the one that smokes when you pop the top and the first sip burns the back of your throat…nectar of the gods!

And so many “Kodak moments” with Joe who fell in the pool with his clothes on and Jimmy, Jr, who got so excited with his first tuna he wanted to bring the whole thing back to school for show-and-tell. Remember those great shrimp you ate at that romantic sunset restaurant with your honey? Life just couldn’t be better

And your buddy, Ralph, who passed out and you drew stupid things on his face with shaving cream. There was that pretty local gal with the enchanting smile who made you wish you were 20 again. And there was that wonderful captain Miguel who invited you home to his place for homemade tacos after you gave him some t-shirts and fish. And the mile of dancing dolphin that just wouldn’t quit. Priceless.

Most of us who frequent the Baja can sometimes take it all for granted until we step back and think how danged lucky and blessed we are to be able to experience something that most folks who walk this planet will never see in their wildest dreams. I’m doubly blessed because I get to share this with so many others and get to tell them all about it.

Well, at one of the recent outdoor shows, I had two amigos come up to me. Each year they had come to my booth; picked up my materials; and we chatted. Great guys. Lifelong buddies. The years had been good to them. Both had been Korean war veterans. Stand-up guys.

“Not this year, Jonathan! But for sure ‘one of these days’ we’ll get down there. We’ll bring our wives and have a great time. Someday!” They’d laugh and continue walking down the aisle to the next booth with my brochures tucked under arms.

Each year, same smiles. Same conversation.

Until this year. Two weeks ago, they came up. But there was something different. Something in their eyes. This time they were in earnest. They were going to come down to Baja this year, but it was sad this time. You see…One had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The other amigo had lost his wife in the year since I had seen them last. “Someday” had caught up with these two lifelong buddies.

“We waited too long,” said one, a bit sadly and wistfully. “But while we are still buddies, we’re gonna finally take this one trip together. It might be our last. ” In that nano-second, I caught that “look” between “brothers” who had seen a lot together. It’s the “look” that transcends time and bridges spirit and emotion. The way “our last” was said. One last road trip…

Exhale…take a breath. Hearth in throat. What do I say?

I’ve been coming to Baja for almost 30 years. I’ve been living in it for almost 12. I made a decision long ago that I was gonna try something off the path. I was younger then. A lot younger. It’s been a helluva ride… a great ride. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. But looking back, I don’t think I’d go down that same path again had I known better! But that’s just being younger and dumber. But, I’m danged glad I did it. No regrets.

But why is it that when we’re young we have no fear? The world is a wide open Baja beach beckoning with possibilities. But as we get older, all this “adventure” is suddenly tempered. We’re not sure anymore!

“Are there bathrooms?” “Will it be too hot?” “Do they have diet Coke?” “Are the police friendly?” “Is there shade on the boat?” “Will my cell phone work?” “How’s the toilet paper?” “Can I get “Desperate Housewives” on the hotel TV?”

I will admit that life is full of things to do that have a lot more priority than trips to Baja or anywhere else. We have to do what we have to do. Jobs are important. Kids gotta get fed. Air Jordan’s gotta be bought. There’s that mortgage and the car payments.

But at what point in our lives did we start asking so many other questions? What prevented us from stepping outside our hermetically sealed box for one great glorious breath of real fresh air that wasn’t manufactured and purified by a machine or tinged with exhaust fumes? From sharing smiles with folks from another culture or speaking a different language? From having an experience with our families, kids and friends that would sear a lifetime of memories in our hearts?

“Someday” is already here. Don’t live life like your hair is on fire, but at least live it like there’s just one last bait in the tank and time to make one last cast. You know the feeling. Sun’s going down. The boat has to head for shore soon. It can’t be changed.

Let’s dance! Let’s make that last cast! Each year there’s a few more empty spaces at the rail and you only get to ride this boat one time.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

FREEZER BURNED FISH

Originally Published in Western Outdoor News the Week of Feb. 14, 2006

It’s not an easy place to find. It is an easy place to forget. Many folks do.

I can’t tell you the address. There is none. The calles (streets) have no names. You just drive through the various barrios and colonias with names like “Colonia Leon” and “Barrio Trabajadores”. . .Names ten times grander than the little shanties and casitas staked out within and way on the other side of whatever hotel you’re checked into.

Take a left from the super mercado grocery store near the marina where dock workers laze the afternoon passing the time with cans of beer or bags of chicharones waiting to clean the fishing boats and pangas,

Head up the dirt street in a permanent haze of traffic dust and go past the old church and the barbershop advertising haircuts for 30 pesos. At the Pemex gasoline station bear left. Those ruts in the road from the last rains can bust an axle. Head straight past the line of faded pastel concrete houses with graffiti walls and patchwork fences of plywood, corrugated tin and chicken wire. Sunning dogs too lazy to get out’ve the road barely blink an eye as you thread past. Be careful of the kids playing soccer kicking up their own clouds of ever-present powder-fine dust.

Past the crunching gravel (or is that broken glass?) of the dry and trash littered arroyo and you’re there. It’s against the hillside. There’s no sign, but that’s the one.

In it’s day it might have been someone’s fairly grand house. Somewhere under the dusty faded pastel green, a coat of fresher paint once lay, but now muddy splashes go halfway up the sides where they dried from the last rains. Windows too caked with soot and plants long in need of those rains cling precariously to the planters.

It’s a metaphor for the folks inside the big steel gates. The air changes as you go inside. Quiet except for the suble whirring of an old ceiling fan. Vacant shadows. In their day, they were grand, vibrant, colorful, but like the house itself and the directions to get here, they are forgotten and not easy to find. They sit in chairs along the walls. They stare. They don’t talk. Rows of sitting silent people. Eerie.

Every town in Baja has it’s Casa de Viejas. Old folks home. Too old or infirm to be with families. Or more tragically, simply forgotten or left behind, this is where you’ll find the folks that never get a mention in the travel brochures; the humanitarian projects; or the donation drives from “sister cities.”

Understandably, everyone remembers the kids. But even the locals can’t remember what happens to the old or even how to find them.

No gringo fishermen bring bags of extra clothing and old toys here. No fishing tournaments are being held to build a new “recreation center.” Benevolent church ministries aren’t having bake sales in the U.S. to raise money for a new computer or re-building the baseball diamond. Good hearted doctor groups aren’t usually donating vacation time to come fix teeth or eyes.

In our own wealthy country, we often forget our seniors. In Mexico where 50 percent of the population is below the poverty level, you can only imagine what it’s like to be in a facility here. This isn’t the “Golden Years Retirement Villa for Active Seniors” or “Leisure World.”

But, wherever, I’ve lived in Baja, we often brought the excess fish left by the fishermen to the casas de viejas. No shuffleboard. No “group exercise.” No trips to the beach. No senior dance night. Wednesday afternoon, there’s no cookie social in the parlor. No TV. No books. Just the silence and the occasional creak of someone gently rocking. And that awful tinge of pine cleaner and Clorox that clings to everything. They sit and sit some more. And wait. And the air sits heavily.

I was told once that the bags of bonito, roosterfish, and jacks I brought were the first they had eaten in months and the only “meat” they had eaten in weeks. This was the “junk fish” that didn’t fit in the coolers headed back home. I didn’t ask what these folks were fed the rest of the time. So, if you ever wondered what happened to that extra fish you left behind, now you know.

As I leave, the tired but grateful director always says, “Te Dios te bendigas” (may God bless me) and that they will say a prayer for me.

I get back into my own dusty car. I slam the door and wend my way back through the trash and dust. Criminy. It’s me who says the prayer for them…the forgotten. And I’m the one who’s thankful our fishermen were lucky today and their coolers were too small to fit all the fish they caught.

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

WEATHER CALMS AND EARLY DORADO POP UP AGAIN!

La Paz / Las Arenas Report for Feb. 11, 2007

Photo 1: Yellow snapper (pargo) like the one being held up here by Isaac Cortez, our amigo from Oxnard CA, are great inshore gamers and tasty on the table too. Up around rocks and reefs, these fish are highly prized by the commerical panga fishermen for the market and restaurants. Capt. Ramiro gives Isaac a hand.

Photo 2: Ok…they’re not the biggest dorado, but for dorado to even be around this time of the year when waters are still cold is quite a surprise. However, we got a few again this week like the two being held by Jeff Slater and Vic Ochoa of Wilmington CA. These fish were caught north of La Paz near Espiritu Santo Island.

Photo 3 : We drove this past week through the Columbia River Gorge on our way from Denver to the Portland show. We came across this “boat” in Hood River, Oregon and couldn’t resist goofing with it. It was pretty cool and looks like it actually had a motor in it at one time!

LA PAZ / LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT

Things warmed up this week weather wise. Consistently good weather in the 70’s for once which was a welcome break from the winds. Water also seeming to get warmer too. I don’t know if it’s El Nino, but waters around Las Arenas and Cerralvo Island rose about 2-5 degrees into the low 70’s as well. Not too many fishermen, but those we had out all got something. Mostly it was snapper and sierra around the high spots and dropoffs, but a few boats out towards the island were surprised again by dorado! Still not sure if this is a freak or something starting up, but it’s awfully early for dorado but this is two weeks in a row

PASSPORTS!

Don’t wait until the last minute. If you’re even thinking about coming to visit us this year or flying anywhere in North America you’ll need a passport from now on. It’s an easy process, but it’s not exactly an overnight thing, especially because so many people are now applying and only 20 percent of the travelling population have passports. It’s taking a little longer!

Click here to the U.S. Government site that has all the info as well as forms to download: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html I hear Walgreen’s drugstores has discount prices on passport photos (smile!) and if you’re a member of the Auto Club, they offer disocount processing. Remember, it’s easy to get out of the U.S. , but you want to make sure they let you back IN at the border!

WHALE WATCH REPORT

We’ve been taking folks out to Bahia Magdalena now for seveal weeks for the annual migration of the grey whales. The whales are pretty stacked up now in the calm shallow lagoon waters and are often coming right up to the pangas. It’s a great experience. If you’re interested, the whales usually stick around through March, but you never can tell. If you’re like more info, give us a shout at riplipboy@aol.com

CABIN FEVER CLASSIC

Still have a few more spots on the 6th Annual Cabin Fever Classic April 12-16. It’s $630 per person double occupancy for 3 days fishing and hosted at La Concha Beach Resort. Let us know if you’d like more info. We always have a fun time.

THANKS PORTLAND!!!!

As I’m writing this, we’re wrapping up our latest show from the 2007 Tailhunter Road Tour. So far, we’ve been in Las Vegas, San Mateo, Sacramento, Denver and just wrapping up from an outstanding week in Portland. Thanks to all of our Tailhunter amigos who came by the booth and welcome to all our new friends. We had a great time. Next stop for us is the Fred Hall Fishing and Boating Show in Long Beach March 7-11 at the Long Beach Convention Center followed by Salt Lake City and Anchorage AK. See you then!

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: Carr. a Pichilingue KM 5, Numero 205, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

NO TACO LITE!

Originally published in Western Outdoor News the week of Feb. 6, 2007

Photo 1: Rows of salsas and other condiments lined up next to the grill to fill your tortillas!

Photo 2: Always good to taste a bit before you slather your food with something far too hot for your palate! Don’t judge by looks!

Photo 3: Pile it on! Street eating in Baja is a fun adventure in culture and inexpensive dining. The rule of thumb is to eat where you see everyone else eating!

Well, by the time you’re reading this, I’ve officially been “on tour” for over a month now and have yet to be out of weather that wasn’t freezing or below. From California to Utah and Wyoming to Colorado, we’ve been under snow and ice every single day. By the time you’re reading this, we’ll be in the “warm rain” of Portland. Oh sure…

It’s been outstanding meeting so many of you who come by our booth just to say hi and tell me you’re enjoying the column or even to tell me you don’t like what I wrote. But at least you’re reading the Baja columns and Pat McDonnel and Rich Holland are happy you’re not canceling your subscription!

As one amigo told me in Denver, “I disagree with most of what you say and think you’re most writing goofy stuff but I read to your column first thing when I get my subscription every week. Then my wife gets to hear me get pissed at you!” (He said that laughingly…I think).

Anyway, when you live in Baja like we do, you’ve often heard me crave for things like In-N-Out double double burgers (animal style of course!) or slices of Round Table Pizza. And I’m danged grateful when you amigos bring them down to me…cold, greasy, soggy and sometimes even floating in melted ice. It’s the THOUGHT and I’m danged grateful for these morsels of America. Yum!

But, for the last month, we’ve basically lived on fast food. Try it sometime. Ever thought you couldn’t get enough Big Mac or Krispy Kreme donuts? Ever thought you would get tired of Kentucky Fried extra crispy? That’s two to three meals a day ordering from some poor shmoe doing his best efforts with a paper hat on his head. (Been there myself!)

These days when you walk into one of those places you have to actually stand in line and STUDY their “menu!” They have parfait yogurt breakfast now? What’s a “carb free burger lettuce wrap”? What do you mean do I want my catsup “on the side?” Side of what? And no, I cannot understand what the heck you’re saying out’ve that little speaker! It’s snowing on me for criminy sakes and I do NOT want an action figure. Just gimme the danged burger! I don’t care if the steak sandwich lite comes with a cartoon cup!

This is where I long for the sunny carritos of Baja! The little carts you find on just about every street corner in every barrio (neighborhood). You can smell the grilled carne asada beef long before you see the smoke emanating and surrounding the grill cook. He’s the neighborhood Benihana meistro chopping, flipping, and filling tortilla after tortilla. He stands in a fog of smokey delicious haze under a single light bulb and a radio rhythmically booming words you don’t understand from a tiny speaker long blown out by music played too loud.

The best carritos usually have a crowd around them every night and the smell of spices, onions and garlic hook you like a dorado come to feed. At night, the grillman orchestrates the sizzling meats and his assistant takes the orders and money like a carnival barker.

Old friends and neighbors greet each other. Kids chase around in the dirt and there’s always a dog somewhere looking for scraps. But step right up. Que quieres? (What do you want?) Just order. Start with two tacos. Chunks of the savory meet is piled on open soft homemade corn tortillas that are still steaming hot. Nothing fancy. What silverware? You wont’ find a menu. Forget the low carb thing. What’s medium rare? No substitutions, por favor! You want what on the side? Sure…everything is “on the side.”

This is where the fun begins. Every cart worth it’s pesos has bowls of chopped marinated red onions, crispy green cilantro, creamy guacamole, sliced Mexican limes, radishes and fiery jalapeno chiles. And the salsas! Always a good idea to taste before you proceed with a little on your finger, but be adventurous. Salsa fresca with sweet fresh tomatoes and green chiles. Salsa verde made of roasted chiles and peppers. Tart salsa verde made from fresh green tomatillos or the one on the end made of ground peanuts, chiles and peppers that looks like spicy peanut butter. Sabrosa y muy rica!

It’s not a question of where you start? It’s where you end. When you finish two, go to three or four or sit for awhile and visit with your neighbors. Then order two more. The cart folks trust you to keep track. Pull a frosty orange or strawberry soda bottle out of the ice chest and try to cool that last jalapeno. Then order more. No rush. No waiters. No waiting. No happy cups or Spiderman action figures. But please pass the napkins!

When you’re done, they trust you to tell them how many you ate! 40 pesos? That’s all? No menu choices. No extra grande super size. No calorie counting. Waddle away. Just step away before you hurt yourself! Ahhh…simple. Just great Mexican eating! Vamos a comer!

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

WHAT’S GOING ON? TUNA! YELLOWTAIL! DORADO! GIANT SQUID!!!! IN WINTER!

La Paz/ Las Arenas Fishing Report for Feb. 4, 2007

PHOTO 1: Mike Davis of Santa Maria CA came down figuring to catch some sunshine and some nice inshore fishing. Instead, he ropes onto a big winter yellowtail out of Muertos Bay!

PHOTO 2 : Just have to give a shout out to our amigo Doug Oclassen of Boulder CO. Doug came by our booth at the Denver ISE show this past week. Doug comes down all the time to La Paz and last May we got into some nice roosterfish and Doug got his first! Well, he just had to celebrate the Kodak moment and came by our booth to show off his new tattoo…a ROOSTERFISH! That’s hardcore!

PHOTO 3: Surely this doesn’t apply to me? We have seen some gorgeous land on this trip and while in Colorado came upon this sign I wanted to pass onto you. Obviously, I’m not in Baja. Actually the rivers and streams were all frozen over!

Photo 4 : Just like the good old days…this is from Denver, Colorado. A sign from a passing era. Gas under two bucks!

THE FISHING REPORT

WHOAAA! What’s going on here? El Nino? A freak of fishing? Well, after about a month of on again and off again weather, we actually had glorious sunshine and some nice days in La Paz and everyone came out to play. It was more than welcome…but the fish came out to play too!

Folks, it’s still winter, I don’t care what anyone says, but hijole! For our La Paz anglers this week expecting some nice inshore snapper and sierra fishing, they got hammered! I’m talking dorado (yes THOSE dorado!) and 40-60 pound yellowtail!!!!

This is pretty incredible. The dorado were right there the SE end of the island in that area where they were hanging out for the last 6 months of 2007…in COLD water! They’re not supposed to be there at this time of year. Is this remainder of last year? Is this something new for THIS year? Who knows? Who cares? But we just don’t catch dorado in winter! I might as well have said, we caught rainbow trout!

On top of that, yellowtail! That’s right the big jacks came crashing. These were slugger fish in the 40-60 pound class. We didn’t catch many but that’s because the anglers were missing their hook ups and fish were taking them into the rocks! Zing-powie! Dang…when the hamachi start running I get all amped up.

But wait…there’s more!

For our anglers that fished Las Arenas…again expecting some nice inshore fishing…

TUNA!!!!

That’s right amigos! Yellowfin tuna showed up. It was only for two days and then they were gone, but these were summertime footballers that erupted on the rods. Add to that a quick run of yellowtail and even more of those giant squid and that makes for some head-scratching rod bending fishing. Who knew? We’ll have to keep you posted!

WHERE ARE WE!

Well…we left a fantastic Denver ISE show last Monday and spent the week driving through the gorgeous Colorado gorges, through Utah, Idaho and now we’re in Oregon where the O’Laughlin Brothers Outdoor Show will be running Feb. 7-11 at the Expo Center in Portland. This is a huge huge show so if you’re in the area, stop on by. It’s a kick and there’s tons to see. We are finally out of the snow too! After more than a month on the road in temps that were anywhere from 18 degrees to 6 below zero for a whole month, we are finally in Oregon where it’s a balmy 36 degrees!

Our Denver show was incredible. I think our poor Denver brothers and sisters were just so excited to get out’ve their snow-bound homes that the show was literally wall-to-wall folks every single day. We almost ran out’ve brochures and DVD’s the last day. Our own Tailhunter booth was so packed it was hard to talk from all the noise and commotion. They even had the loccal NBC news cameras come down and tape us and interview us while this was all going on! We never got to see it air because we were in the convention center, but alot of folks came by and said they saw us. Great fun. But just the same, thanks to everyone who made the Denver ISE show such a great time!

CABIN FEVER CLASSIC JUST ABOUT FILLED

Our Cabin Fever Classic…the official kick off of our season is filling up! The dates are April 12-16 and is being held at La Concha Beach Resort. It’s great fun every year and looks like we might have some surprise fishing. Three days of fishing and a bunch of fun times, fun people and sunshine is $630 per person double occupancy. E-mail us if you’d like more details. riplipboy@aol.com

WHALES ARE IN !

We finally started our seasonal whale watching tours. The big mammals finally showed up and are in full showtime at Bahia Magdalena. This is a short run and they’ll only be around until March or so but it’s a great lifetime event to get close enough to touch these great creatures in calm shallow waters. I never try to miss it at least once a year! Great for the kids and family. February is prime time as the calves and females get used to the boats and will come right up! Give us a shout if you’d like more info.

SOME HUMOR

Couldn’t pass this one up so I’ll shar it:

This LAWYER SHOULD NEVER ASK A MEXICAN GRANDMA A QUESTION IF THEY AREN’TPREPARED FOR THE ANSWER.

IN A TRIAL, A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CALLED HIS FIRST WITNESS, A MEXICAN GRANDMOTHER, AN ELDERLY WOMAN TO THE STAND.

HE APPROACHED HER AND ASKED,MRS SANCHEZ, “DO YOU KNOW ME?”

SHE RESPONDED, “SI, I KNOW YOU MR. WILLIAMS.” I KNOWN YOU SINCE YOU WERE A CHAVALITO AND FRANKLY YOU’VEBEEN A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME. YOU LIE, YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE, AND YOU MANIPULATE PEOPLE. AND YOU THINK YOU’RE A BIG SHOT WHEN YOUAREN’T NADA. YES I KNOW YOU PENDEJO “

THE LAWYER WAS STUNNED. NOT KNOWING WHAT ELSE TO DO, HE POINTED ACROSSTHE ROOM AND ASKED, MRS. SANCHEZ, DO YOU KNOW THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY?

AGAIN SHE REPLIED, “CLARO QUE SI. I’VE KNOWN MR. RODRIGUEZ SINCE HE WAS A CHAVALITO TOO. HE’S LAZY, UNO PUTO, AND HE HAS A DRINKING PROBLEM. HE CAN’T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH NOBODY AND HE IS THE WORST LAWYER IN THE STATE. HA! AND NOT TO MENTION HE CHEATED ON HIS WIFE WITH THREE DIFFERENT PUTAS, ONE OF THEM WAS YOUR WIFE, YOU MEMBER? YES I KNOW MR. RODRIGUEZ, AND HIS MAMA IS NOT PROUD OF HIM TAMBIEN .”

THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY ALMOST DIED.

THE JUDGE ASKED BOTH COUNSELORS TO APPROACH THE BENCH AND IN A VERY QUIET VOICE SAID, “IF EITHER OF YOU IDIOTS ASK HER IF SHE KNOWS ME,I”LL SEND YOU TO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR.”

That’s my story!
Have a great week and hope to see you here in Portland Feb. 7-11.

Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s
Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: Carr. a Pichilingue KM 5, Numero 205, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

I GUESS IT’S COLD EVERYWHERE, BUT INSHORE SNAPPER AND SIERRA STILL WILLING TO BITE. EVEN SQUID SHOW UP!

LA PAZ/ LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT FOR JAN. 28, 2007

Photo 1: No fishing photos this week so I took this somewhere outside of Rawlins, Wyoming this week. Most of you are used to seeing me in shorts and my fishing t-shirts. No way this time! It was as cold as minus 6 degrees below zero! Brrrrrrr…..

Photo 2 : For those of you from places like California, I thought you might get a kick outta seeing gas below 2 bucks! This was a truck stop along highway I-80. Actually, we found some spots in Wyoming as low as $1.86. And you can also get Mrs. Freshly’s Honey Bon!

LA PAZ / LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT

Not much to tell you this weeke, amigos! Still kinda stinky. Intermittent winds still plaguing us with no pattern and relatively cold (for us) with temps in the 50’s during the day. Mostly inshore fishing right now. Snapper and sierra are all biting along the rocky areas and drop offs and we had a surprise bite of big squid off Las Arenas. That’s a bit of a surprise. Normally, the big squid will show up in the fall. We’ll keep an eye on that. Everyone keeps telling me it’s an “el Nino year.” I hear that EVERY YEAR! But, seeing the big squid this early might just be a tell-tale sign. One thing interesting is that often when the squid show up, often there’s some tuna that come up from the deep with the squid. We’ll have to keep an eye on that.

Either way…I guess I would have to say it’s officially “winter now.” All the waters around us are in the low to mid 60’s. There’s a big spot of warmer water to the south off Cardonal that’s in the upper 60’s and I hear the marlin, tuna and dorado are already biting off Cabo and a bit NW up towards the Golden Gate Bank. If so, then the pelagics are moving north earlier than normal and it would be great to get some of these bluewater species earlier this year.

EVENTS

Well, at the time you’re reading this, we’re just pulling up and wrapping up our 4th show. We hit the road a month ago and have been in Las Vegas, San Mateo CA (San Francisco), Sacramento CA and we just finished a whopping 4 days in Denver CO.

Take a look at the photo above and you can get an idea of the snow. We traveled from Sacramento to Denver (about 1200 miles) in two days and about 90 percent of the drive was completely white. Most of the time it made for incredible scenery especially as we came through Utah, Wyoming and Denver. It’s hard to believe such wide-open spaces still exist.

Anyway, the Denver show was incredible. These folks in Colorado have been snow-bound for about 6 weeks and as I write this, everyone is talking about another storm headed to the city later this week. However, I think folks are just tired of it and I feel for them. To us, coming from Baja, it’s a novelty to have snow falling and getting a chance to play, but living in this stuff is another issue! At the show, everyone was simply tired of the cold and were ready for some sunshine and they came out to the show in DROVES! It was packed shoulder to shoulder much of the time and we had a great time meeting all the new amigos.

We’re headed to the Portland Outdoor Show now! It’s at the Expo Center from Feb. 7-11. Come out to say hi.

WHALES AT BAHIA MAGDALENA

Well, the California grey whales have finally showed up at Mag Bay. Over the next few months until about March or early April (only the whales have the schedule), they’ll be in the bay and it’s officially whale watching time. We’re currently arranging trips to see the whales where the whales will come right up to the boat in these calm shallow waters. If you’re interested, let me know!

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com
Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: Carr. a Pichilingue KM 5, Numero 205, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”

CABIN FEVER OBSERVATIONS

Originally published the week of January 28, 2007 in Western Outdoor News

OK, judging from the e-mails lately, I can tell cabin fever has set in. I’m currently writing this from my motel room in Denver CO. We’re in a Motel 8 (I guess that’s supposed to be two notches up from Motel 6 or something).

It took two days driving over from California through Nevada, Utah and Wyoming and it was pretty much snow the whole way. At one point it was minus 4 degrees and the snow gusts were blowing so hard we figured it was time to pull off the road and wait it out in a motel room. Dangit, I thought Baja was COLD right now. But nothing like this!

We’re setting up for the International Sportsmen’s Expo at the Denver Convention Center but along the way, we passed so many little snowed-in little bergs and villes. I know when I’m in Baja and and I’m housebound for more than a day, I get pretty nuts. What do folks do out here when they’re snowed in for weeks at a time? Yikes!

Anyway, from the e-mails, I think everyone is getting kinda crabby because they need to get outside. Lack of sunshine is unhealthy for the psyche. It’s not that the Baja e-mails are from folks directly mad at me. It’s just that a lot of folks have their shorts bunched up and they’re finding the smallest thing to grumble about.

I’ve had pissy e-mails from folks asking how come there’s no caffeine free diet Coke more readily available in Mexico or why “they” make it too windy during winter to go fishing in Baja. (Who is “they?”) I even got one from someone ticked off because they no one in Mexico seems to make good French fries (too soggy and greasy) . There was even one from a guy in San Diego who was grumbling because his Mexican gardner only speaks Spanish. (What does that have to do with Baja?) As if I had something to do with any of this or could do anything about it! Sheesh. Sir, step away from the television and computer before someone gets hurt.

Anyway, quite a few folks fretting about how cold it is in Baja right now. (It was a frigid 55 degrees in S. Baja last week!) I hear it all the times at these fishing trade shows we’ve been attending the last few weeks. Folks, weather cyclical like everywhere else! Believe it or not, there’s something called “seasons.”

Them: “How come every time we go to Baja it’s never like in the brochures with blue water and warm sunshine? We go to Cabo San Lucas and catch fish, but it’s always chilly and the winds are blowing like hell!”

Me: “When do you usually go to Cabo?”

Them: “December or January.”

Me: “Well, that’s winter. It’s ALWAYS winter in December and January. Why don’t you go in August or September.”

Them: Can’t. That’s hunting season.

Me: “Oh…”

From speaking to so many amigos, I think they forget that like everywhere else, the Baja is not on a separate planet in a vacuum. It’s subject to colder weather, winds and rain just like everywhere else, albeit Gracias a Dios, it’s not as cold as Wyoming! Therefore, if you’re looking for better conditions, come in the spring, summer or fall months. It is what it is in January.

One last comment at these fishing and outdoor shows. Especially at places like Colorado, Northern California, Oregon and Utah where we do shows, it seems everyone dresses in camouflage! Now, God bless all our outdoor brothers and sisters. They are great, but shirts, jackets, hats, belts, shoes, and backpacks are all made of camouflage patterns. They even dress the babies in camo.

If it can be made , it can be be made in camo. Boats, cars, tents, rifle stocks, even babies …you name it! Looking out on the show floor it’s a sea of moving mottled leaves and grass. I guess I can understand that. These are hunting regions and you don’t want your quarry to spot you, right? I get it.

The funny thing is that these fun folks then come to Baja and still wear the camo when they go fishing. Like the fish won’t see you?

That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.

WINTER WEATHER DOESN’T HELP THE FISHING

LA PAZ/ LAS ARENAS FISHING REPORT for WEEK OF JAN. 22, 2007

FISHING REPORT

I guess it can’t be good ALL the time!

Just one of “those” weeks that makes you appreciate all the great weeks we have the rest of the year. In a word, the past week was STINK! Basically, it was great weather if you were in say…Alaska!

I think the whole west coast of the continent must have been in cold weather this past week, although most folks wouldn’t complain if it was in the high 50’s and low 60’s in their own neck of the woods. For La Paz, that’s pretty much arctic weather with everyone wearing jackets and long pants! (Don’t laugh you readers in Denver!).

A good part of the week, it was either (pick one)…(a) windy (b) overcast (c) raining (d) all of the above. Not the best for fishing, but the good part is that we didn’t have any anglers except for one day which is characteristic this time of the year anyway. That one day we did get folks out, they did get some sierra and snapper inshore in the structure. That was it.

Sorry this isn’t more cheery like our other fishing reports, but what can I say? It’s WINTER, even in Baja! The coming week doesn’t show any rain in the forecast but more wind and overcast for sure. Water temps are holding steady at about 65 degrees in most places

UPCOMING STUFF

We just finished our third show of the year Sacramento CA at the International Sportsman’s Expo. What a great time and it was super to see so many of the old amigos and meet new ones. By the time you’re reading this, we’ll be on our way driving from California to Denver CO for our next show. From Thursday to Sunday, we’ll be at the International Sportsman’s Expo at the Denver Convention Center. If you’re in the area and we make it through the snows, hope you come by to say hi.

HEADS UP

Since the end of the holidays, our phones and e-mails have been ringing off the hook with reservations. We are seriously filling fast! Some dates are already booked solid, but we still have lots of prime spots left. Don’t wait. Not kidding! If you’re even THINKING about fishing la Paz this season, please give us a shout. We had such an outstanding season last year that many folks made reservations immediately for 2007 or jumped on the horn early. We want to take care of as many of our amigos as possible!

MORE HEADS UP

1. We still have a few more spots left for our 6th Annual Cabin Fever Classic this April 12-16 hosted at La Concha Beach Resort We have a blast and it’s a great opportunity to get outta your hut and enjoy some sunshine, good friends, fishing, tacos and beer after a long winter and help us kick off the beginning of our season. Cost is $630 per person double occupancy.

2. We’re taking whale watching reservations for the Pacific Grey Whales that are now showing up in Magdalena Bay. Get up close and personal with these great creatures! It’s a day-long-adventure that’s super for the whole family. Drop us an e-mail at riplipboy@aol.com for info.

AIRLINES

Lastly, if you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, Delta is now flying to La Paz from Oakland as well as Sacramento. Alaska Airlines is flying out of San Francisco. Out of Los Angeles, this season, so far we have Delta, Alaska and Aero Mexico flying to La Paz. Our good old “pals” at Aero Mexico are still flying out of Tijuana to La Paz but “promise they will be flying out of Los Angeles by February.” Hahahahah…oh right!

That’s my story!
Jonathan

Jonathan Roldan’s Tailhunter International
Website: www.tailhunter-international.com

Phone: (626) 333-3355
FAX: (626) 333-0115
E-Mail: Riplipboy@aol.com
U.S. Office: 3319 White Cloud Dr., Suite A, Hacienda Hts. CA 91745
Mexico Office: Carr. a Pichilingue KM 5, Numero 205, La Paz, Baja Cal Sur, Mexico

“When your life finally flashes before your eyes, you will have only moments to regret all the things in life you never had the courage to try.”